Stars qualify at Big M

Dan Patch Award winner Boulder Creek made his first appearance of 2006 Thursday morning, winning a qualifier at the Meadowlands in 1:53.4. Trainer Mark Silva was in the sulky behind the 6-year-old son of Pacific Rocket as he embarked on a campaign to add to his $2.2 million bankroll.

The Chris Ryder trained 3-year-old colt pacer Palone Ranger romped to an easy 5 ½-length win a qualifier, crossing the wire in 1:55 with Brian Sears in the sulky. Another Ryder 3-year-old colt pacer trainee, Sea Dragon, was the morning’s fastest winner with a 1:52.3 effort for driver David Miller.

Palone Ranger was the favorite in last November’s $575,400 Breeders Crown final at the Meadowlands but could fare no better than sixth. Palone Ranger won three of 11 starts and $385,757 in purse earnings at two. Sea Dragon was a two-time winner in 11 starts, amassing $41,628 in earnings.

Ryder also qualified the 5-year-old trotting mare Mystical Sunshine, who romped to an 11 ½-length victory in 1:55.2 for driver Ron Pierce. The daughter of Yankee Glide is less than $19,000 away from reaching the $1 million mark in career earnings.

Mythical, who won a leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes and a Sweetheart elimination, made her first appearance as a sophomore Thursday, winning her qualifier in 1:56.2 for driver John Campbell.

The 2004 Peter Haughton Memorial Trot winner and 2005 New Jersey Sire Stakes winner New York Yank won his second straight qualifier with trainer-driver Trond Smedshammer directing. The 4-year-old son of Yankee Glide trotted in 1:55.2 to defeat his competition by more than two lengths. Self Professed finished second in the mile for driver Mike Lachance.

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